Means for cooling fluids on boats and the like



Oct. 16, 1945. w B JUTTE 2,386,803

MEANS FOR COOLING FLUIDS ON BOATS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 26, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z9 Z7 Z9 26 23 26' 1 23 mwn/m" Mum/v 5- JUTTE oct. 16, 1945.

W. B. JUTTE MEANS FOR COOLING FLUIDS ON BOATS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 26, 1945 INVENTOR. MAL/4M 5. .furrE.

Patented Oct. 16, 1945 UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR COOLING FLUIDS ON BOATS THE LIKE William B. Jutte, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 26, 1943, Serial No. 511,889

I 8 Claims.

engine providing motive power at a suitable working temperature. This is done normally by the circulation of a cooling liquid through the engine jacket and a radiator or other cooling means. The capacity of the engine, therefore, is somewhat limited by the capacity of the cooling apparatus used in connection with it. It has been found that improved cooling action can be obtained by circulating the cooling medium in heat exchange contact with the water in which the boat is floating. More particularly it has been found that increased cooling efliciency can be obtained if the cooling medium is circulated through the rudder of the boat located in the slip stream of the propeller and in the rear of the propeller. By this arrangement it is possible to pass a desirable relatively small quantity of the cooling medium in rapid heat exchange relationship to the water in which the boat is travel- An object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for increasing the cooling efii'ciency of the power plant on a boat through the use of an improved rudder serving as a heat exchange medium. More particularly an object of the invention is to provide the heat exchange rudder of this invention in a form having a fitting whereby the improved rudder may be readily mounted in the boat.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a rudder carried by a boat and through which rudder circulation of cooling fluid from the the boat engine may take place, said rudder having an outer surface streamlined in a new and novel fashion to be disposed in the slipstream of the propeller at the stern of the boat and being formed with circuitous circulating passageways, the partition walls or which act to brace the rudder walls, while the rudder walls act as tension members to give desired structural strength to the rudder and to make it possible for them to be made of relatively thin material.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a View in side elevation indicating the hull of a boat equipped with a propeller and power plant and a rudder embodying the present invention disposed in fluid circulation with the jacket of the power plant.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View in central vertical section through the rudder structure showing the preferred form of construction.

Fig. 3 is a View in plan indicating the position of the rudder with relation to the stern of the boat and the slip stream within which it travels and disclosing further the fluid connections.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in central vertical section through the rudder construction as seen on the line 8-4 of Fig. 2, and indicates the manner in which the rudder side walls are shaped as well as the transverse partitions.

Fig. 5 is a view inside elevation showing a form of rudder construction in which the heat exchange surface is formed with a plurality of spaced horizontally extending fins.

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation with parts broken away showing a form of rudder construction in which water from the slip stream may pass through circulating channels in the rudder for the purpose of adding heat exchange efficiency.

Fig. '7 is a view in side elevation showing a type of rudder-in which the side walls are corrugated for the purpose of obtaining additional heat exchange efficiency.

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation showing a rudder of unbalanced type for use-with auxiliary motors on sail-boats and the like.

Fig. 9 is a view in plan showing the rudder and indicating fluid connections to the jacket of the engine whereby a minimum amount of resistance will be produced by the hose connections.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 10 indicates the hull of a boat .shown in Fig. l as being fitted with a power plant H. This power plant may be of the internal combustion type which includes a jacket through which a cooling medium such as water is circulated. An outflow conduit I2 is provided and an inflow conduit to. A circulating pump l l is connected with one of said conduits. The outflow conduit is provided at its outer end with a connection of flexible hose l2 and the inflow conduit is provided at its outer end with a connection of flexible hose I3. The conduits establish fluid circulation through a rudder [A which is provided with a bearing 15 at its upper end and a pivot H5 at its lower end. The pivot I6 is rotatably supported within a conventional type skeg I1. As shown in Figs. i of the drawings the rudders are of the balanced type. In Fig. 8 of the drawings the rudder is shown as unbalanced and with the vertical Figs. 2 and 4 of.the drawings.

pivotal axis of the rudder inclined. It is to be understood that the present invention is universally applicable to either type of pivotal mounting, and also may be mounted without the use of a skeg.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the rudder bearing I5 is secured to the hull of the boat by bolts l8, and that a cylindrical jacket I9 is rotatably positioned within the bearing. The jacket I9 is rigidly fixed to the upper wall of the rudder l4 and thus provides a direct bearing support for the rudder within the bearing l5. Extending through the jacket H; is a tubular rudder post,

2| which is rotatably supported at its upper end within a bearing 22 and at its lower end within the bearing portion 23 of the skeg H. In order to stabilize the rudder post 2| at a point between its supporting bearings 22 and 23, a perforate ring or spider 2|) may be mounted around the post and within the jacket |9 The inside diameter of the jacket I9 is materially larger than the outside diameter of the rudder post 20 to provide a fluid circulating passageway 24 which establishes communication between the interior of they rudder I4 and the inlet connection [2' from the engine jacket. The lower end of the post is fitted with a bearing pin 25 which extends downwardly into the bearing 23 while a bearing collar 26 is fixed to the post and provides a thrust bearv ing surface between lower wall 21 of the rudder and the upper face of the bearing 23. The collar 2B is fixed with relation to the rudder post 2| as well as the lower wall 21 of the rudder so that the rudder and its post will swing in unison when the post is rotated on its axis by a tiller 28. The conduit extension I3 is connected to the tubular passageway of the rudder post 2|. The lower end of this passageway is provided with openings 29 which communicate with the interior of the rudder M.

The rudder is shown in its preferred form in Here it will be seen that it is provided with the upper and lower end plates 20 and 21 and side plates 30 and 3|. In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the rudder is made of sheet metal so that these plates may be all welded together along their joints. It is also contemplated that the plates and post 2| may be cast integral to receive the rudder plates. By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the side wall plates 30 and 3| incline downwardly and inwardly. This facilitates in handling the rudder and also provides a structure giving great strength with a minimum of material. As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the horizontal section of the rudder is what might be termed fish-like in shape or of out water shape from the entering edge to the transverse plane of the pivotal axis. It is to be noted that the pivotal axis of the rudder post 2| is disposed at a point substantially one-third the distance from the entering edge of the rudder, which edge is rounded as indicated at'32. The trailing edge, indicated at 33, is prefferably wedge-shaped as formed by two plane suraces.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-4, inclusive, the side walls 30 and 3| are held together by the top and bottom walls 20 and 21 and-a plurality of perforate horizontal partition plates 34 and 35. These plates are spaced from each other to form a series of passageways which communicate at alternate ends. The plates 34 are provided with perforations 36 at the trailing .edge of the rudder, and the plates are p 0- vided with perforations 31 at the entering edge of the rudder through which circulation can be completed. It will be evident that in this manner the cooling liquid may flow along a circuitous path of travel from the inlet pipe |2 through the rudder to the outlet pipe l3. Attention is also directed to the fact that in view of the provision of the series of partition plates 34 and 35 it is possible to strengthen the rudder materially and to'construct it with relatively thin side walls 30 and 3|.

It is to be understood that while the rudder of I the type shown in Figs. 2 and 4 is shown as being made of sheet metal parts secured together,

such as by welding, that the rudder might be cast in two halves which are parted along the median line of the rudder, and which might thereafter be assembled with the rudder post.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings a rudder 38 is illustrated having spaced horizontal fins 39. These fins add heat exchange surface to. the walls of the rudder and increase its efiiciency.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6

v of the drawings, a rudder 40 is shown, the outer walls being substantially smooth and forming a circulation compartment through the rudder post structure 4|. Extending horizontally through the compartment are circulation tubes 42 through which water may flow in heat exchange relationship to the cooling medium within the compartment. It may also be desirable to pass vertical tubes 43 through the rudder to supply additional heat exchange surface.

Figure 7 shows a rudder structure 44, the verticalwalls of which are corrugated as indicated at 45.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings there is shown a rudder structure 46 which is particularly applicable for use on sailboats with auxiliary power units. This rudder structure is unbalanced so that the rudder post may be disposed close to the entering edge of the rudder due to the design of sail-boat will provide a minimum amount of opposition to rotation of the post. The tiller 28 may of course be operated by cables 41 led around pulleys 48 and leading to a steering mechanism, one hose bending while the other unbends.

In operation of the present invention, the jacket of the engine or power plant I is filled with a cooling fluid, such for example as water. This also fills the circulating conduits l2 and I3 and the cavity or chamber within the rudder 4.

Circulation of the cooling medium may take place by thermo-syphon action or by the useof pump in the circulating system. In either event, the cooling liquid will pass through the conduits l2 and I2 into the jacket l9 and thence downwardly through'the passageway 24 into the rudder. The circulation is complete from the bottom of the rudder through openings 29 in the tubular rudder post 2| to the conduits I3 and |3' leading to the engine .In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2

' it will be understood that the cooling medium follows a circuitous path of travel through the passageways occurring between the partition plates 34 and 35 and alternately throu h the perforations 36 and 3'! therein. During the time the cooling liquid is in the rudder, it will be in heat exchange relationship to the rudder walls. These walls stand submerged in the water within which the vessel is floating, and as the propeller revolves there will be a tendency for the water to flow rearwardly of the hull of the boat and around and along the surfaces of the walls 39 and 3! of the rudder. It will be evident that as the speed of the propeller increases the boat will be driven forwardly, and that in addition to the volume of water forced toward the rudder, the rudder will be drawn through the water so that an additional volume of outside cooling water will pass along the surfaces of the rudder and create further heat exchange action between the liquid within the rudder and the water in which the boat travels, since the rudder is in the slip stream of the propeller. Attention is directed to the fact that the volume turbulence of outside water which passes along and around the rudder will increase in direct proportion to the increase in speed of travel of the boat, and thus the increase in engine load, and that the circulating fluid within the rudder will be given a turbulent action as it passes through perforations 35 and 31.

It is also to be pointd out that due to the novel shape of the rudder when considered in horizontal cross-section, there will be a minimum amount of frictional resistance between the rudder and the surrounding water as the boat is steered.

It will thus be seen that by the method and means here shown, it is possible to cool a power plant used on a boat or the like by a natural cooling system in which the water within which the boat floats will act to cool the cooling medium used in the power plant. It will also be understood that this method and apparatus may be used for various other purposes aboard ship, and that in any event the construction will be cheap and will not require any additional operating expense over that now necessary in order to keep the cooling water of a power plant at a proper operating temperature.

It will be evident from an examination of Figs. 2 and 4 particularly that a rudder of exceedingly light weight construction ma be built, which at the same time will have great strength and will insure that a high rate of heat exchange efficiency may take place through the walls of the rudder and between the cooling medium within the rudder and the water within which the rudder is submerged.

Attention is directed particularly to the form of the rudder, since this type of rudder would provide desirable advantages whether or not it is used with a water cooling system. The rudder is wedge-shaped in form when considered in vertical cross-section. This gives it strength and provides that a minimum amount of material is necessary for its construction. When the rudder is considered in horizontal section it will be noted that the entering portion of the rudder from the transverse plane intersecting the pivotal axis is substantially streamlined. From this plane to the trailing edge of the rudder the side faces of the rudder are flat and converge at the trailing edge in wedge shape. It has been found that by constructing a rudder of this sectional configuration, when considered both in horizontal and vertical cross-section, that a minimum amount of resistance is imposed by the water through Which the rudder is passing and while the rudder is being swung from side to side in a steering operation. The formation insures that the rudder produces a minimum amount of wobble in the craft, and that at the same time the rudder ma 'be exceedingly strong with a minimum amount of material.

While I have shown the preferred method and apparatus for carrying out the present invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the steps of the method and the combination, construction and arrangement of the parts of the apparatus by those'skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a boat having a source of heated fluid, concentric conduits for said fluid, one for eduction flow of said fluid and the other for induction flow. a hollow rudder for the boat formed with a circulating passageway therethrough in communication with said conduits and having the outer wall of the'rudder as a wall of said passageway, whereby the water within which the boat travels will be in heat exchange relationship with the fluid in the rudder through said wall, the outer of said conduits terminating at and being secured to the top of said rudder, and the inner of said conduits terminating at and being secured to the bottom of said rudder.

2. In a boat having a source of heated fluid to be cooled, a hollow rudder for the boat, the rudder comprising a hollow shell having opposite complementary side walls spaced from each other, the side walls joining along a vertical line at the stem of the rudder and joining along a vertical line at the stern of the rudder, the horizontal section of the rudder as formed by said side walls being streamline in shape, a plurality of horizontal bailie plates within the rudder disposed parallel to each other and spaced from each other, said baflie plates having openings through them at alternate opposite ends, whereby a circuitous path of travel for the liquid will be pro vided, a pivot structure for the rudder comprising concentric tubular members providing conduits, one communicating with the top of the rudder and the other extending through the bafile plates to the bottom of the rudder, whereby a circulation of fluid from one conduit to the other within the rudder may be effected, and a bearing carried upon the boat and within which said conduits are rotatably supported.

3. In a boat having a power plant cooled by fluid heat exchange, the combination of a tiller post having conduits for said fluid, one for eduction flow of said fluid and the other for induction flow, a rudder for the boat having a circulating passageway therethrough in communication with vsaid conduits and having the outer wall of the rudder as a wall of said passageway, whereby the water within which the boat travels will be in at the stem of the rudder and joining along a vertical line at the stern of the rudder, the horizontal section of said rudder as formed by said side walls being streamline in shape.

4. Means for cooling heated fluid from a power plant on a boat having a hull, said means comprising a tubular fitting adapted to fit in an openingin the hull, a flange on said fitting for retaining the fitting in the hull opening, a pair of concentric pipes integrally connected together,

- the outer of said pipes having a rotatable bearing fit insaid fitting, means above said fitting for connecting each of said pipes to the water circulating system of the power plant, a hollow rudder below said fitting, said rudder being united to both of said pipes and having a top wall provided with an opening communicating with the outer one of saidpipes, the inner one of said pipes extending to and being secured to the bottom of said rudder, and baflle plates in said rudder providing a tortuous passage between the lower ends of said pipes.

5. A hollow heat exchange rudder containing means providing a series of communicating passages having a common outside wall converging horizontally fore and aft of the rudder, a hollow tiller post comprising concentric pipes having supply and return passages in circuit with said rudder passages, one of said pipes being rigidly connected to the top of said rudder and the other thereof rigidly connected to the bottom of said rudder, and connections to said pipes for circulating through said rudder liquid from a source other. than the water in which'said rudder is submerged.

6. A hollow heat exchange rudder according to claim 5, comprising a spider between said pipes at the top of said rudder.

7. A hollow heat exchange rudder according to claim 5 wherein said outside wall compr ses a comparatively wide top wall, a comparatively narrow bottom wall, and two side wall members connected to said top and bottom walls.

8. The combination of a boat having a power plant provided with a fluid cooling system, and a hollow streamlined rudder, baflle means within the rudder providing a circuitous passage in circuit with said fluid cooling system, said rudder having opposite side walls which form the outer walls of said circuitous passage, whereby said fluid in said circuitous passage is in heat exchange relation with the water in which said rudder is immersed;

' WILLIAM B. JUTTE. 

